UO men hope to dodge bubble trouble

Adam Jude

Friday

Feb 24, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Playing for revenge, and playing to stay on the NCAA Tournament bubble, Oregon heads to Corvallis on Sunday in must-win mode.

To remain part of the discussion for an at-large NCAA berth, the Ducks say they not only have to win the rematch against Oregon State but also their final two regular-season games next week against Colorado and Utah at home.

“We know we’ve got to win these last three to even be considered,” UO junior forward E.J. Singler said. “We know that. We’re going into each game knowing that.”

Oregon (19-8, 10-5 Pac-12) last made the NCAA Tournament in 2008 when Malik Hairston, Maarty Leunen and Bryce Taylor were seniors.

After biding their time during the transition to new coach Dana Altman the past two seasons, the Ducks are now experiencing a taste of the bubble for the first time together.

“It’s definitely very exciting,” Singler said. “This is what you play for, to play in the NCAA Tournament. That’s been our goal. It’s exciting, and we’re taking that excitement into these last three games.”

According to ESPN’s “Bracketology” projections, Oregon is one of the last teams “out” of the NCAA field this week. It’s a fluid projection, for sure, with teams moving in and out of the bubble based on daily results.

“There’s so many factors that you can’t control — how other teams play and what other teams do,” UO coach Dana Altman said. “So you better just take care of yourself, and hopefully (his players) are just worried about Sunday.

“I think they understand if we don’t win all three, we don’t have much of a chance, other than winning the (Pac-12) tournament,” he added. “We’ve just got to worry about Oregon State and go play well and hope things work out.”

In the NCAA RPI rankings released Monday, the Ducks are No. 55, listed behind just two Pac-12 teams: California (29) and Washington (54).

After a poor showing in nonconference games early in the season, the Pac-12 is lightly regarded nationally. ESPN projects three Pac-12 teams — Cal, UW and Arizona — will get in the NCAA tournament.

Singler said he thinks the Pac-12 is underrated.

“There’s really good teams in the Pac-12,” he said. “We didn’t really show that in the preseason and I think that’s what really hurt us. But a lot of the teams have really improved.”

Since the 76-71 loss to Oregon State at home on Jan. 29, Oregon is 4-2 this month, and the NCAA selection committee typically likes teams that finish the regular season strong.

One knock against the Ducks: an 0-5 record against teams ranked in the RPI top 50. Working in their favor, though, is a resounding win over Washington at home two weeks ago, plus a tight win at Arizona on Jan. 14.

The Ducks are tied for fourth in the Pac-12 with Colorado (19-8, 10-5), just a half-game back of third-place Arizona (20-9, 11-5). The top four teams get a bye in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament.

UO senior guard Garrett Sim, who grew up rooting for Oregon State, will be playing in his final Civil War. The game takes on added significance this week, he said, because of the Ducks’ postseason aspirations.

“It’s my senior season, and you don’t want to look too far ahead, but the NCAA Tournament is what we’ve had our eyes set on all year,” he said. “We’re kind of right on the bubble, so we need it.”

Senior guard Devoe Joseph (Minnesota) and junior center Tony Woods (Wake Forest) were both in the NCAA Tournament with their previous teams two years ago.

“My sophomore year at Minnesota, it was very similar to this,” Joseph said. “We were right on the bubble and then we made a strong run at the end of the year to get in the tournament.

“I definitely feel this team has the potential to make the same, strong run and get in the NCAA Tournament.”

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